frame design

[gene so]

Hello,

I am new to this and want to fabricate one of these campers. I also only want to build one of these and do it correctly the first time. Before going to college I was a certified welder. I note most designs have exposed wheels with external fenders and also have plenty of ground clearance.

My first impulse is to build a frame with a gooseneck hitch and dropped axle. Since lack of space is the key issue here, dropping the body of the trailer would gain 6-8 inches of headroom and also almost certainly provide better aerodynamic quality when towing.

I also note if you extend the body around the tires you would increase the space inside the trailer and also provide better aerodynamics for the whole unit.

Is there anybody out there with practical experience in building such a teardrop in this manner?

Geneso

[GRUMPYBAGDER]

There are a few droped floors to provide standing height, you'll see a few of the standies have done it in the build diaries.
I suppose for building over the wheels it'll depend on how big the overall trailer is ie, are you pulling the wheels under a 5' body or building out over a 6' width.
I was thinking of doing a 50/50 with half the wheel out side as I think the exposed fenders look better.
As for aerodynamics I don't thing any real world evidence exsists either way, I'd love to see some if it does.

[bobhenry]

I have most of the fender enclosed in my 2 1/2" walls .




The wall plate of the studded wall actually sets on and is bolted thru the little "V's" left after cutting off the side rails of a 5/8 cargo. It is obvious it wasn't done for aerodynamics when you see a barn coming down the road but it did allow me a full 5' inside width on a 5x8 cargo trailer. I also extended the tongue and stretched the trailer forward 2 more feet.

Pics in the 1st couple pages here shows most of what I am talking about !

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?t=30307&start=0



Don't pay any attention to the wiggle in the picture its the camera ( now residing in our local landfill) but this pic does show the bolt thru the v and a hugh washer at the bottom.

[dh]

The reason most put the fenders outside is ecconomics. The point is keep things small and light, increased gas milage. Keeping the body as small as possable, just wide enough for the bed, you don't have room for wheel wells inside, and a single sheet of ply will work each wall, so that typically sets the height. A drop axle and over the wheel design will work, it just isn't common cause you get heavy and in a typical teardrop design, all you gain in is maybe 10" of dead space next to the matress. Sounds like you are wanting more of teardrop shaped standy like Mike's Baha Benroy.